DUBUQUE, Iowa - The second annual Paxton's Pack Classic started on Monday night as the University of Dubuque women's basketball team fell to the (RV) UW-Stout Blue Devils, 76-52.

The Spartans fell behind early in the first quarter 11-4 before using a 10-4 run over the final 4:32 of the first, capped off by back-to-back layups from Lilly Craig to get to within 15-14.

The Blue Devils opened the second quarter on a 14-0 run that put them up 29-14 and would then lead 39-23 at the half. After trailing by 24 entering the fourth quarter, the Spartans used a quick 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 19, but the Blue Devils held on to win the night cap of the Paxton's Pack Classic.

Avery Green (11 points) and Craig (10 points) both finished in double figures for the Spartans, while Felicity Figlinski added nine points and Christina Simonetti finished with eight points and nine rebounds. 

The Spartans are now 4-6 on the season.

Up Next
The Spartans will conclude their non-conference schedule and the Paxton's Pack Classic with a 3:00 p.m. tip tomorrow afternoon against the Augustana (IL) College Vikings.


About Paxton Hummel
In late February of 2022, former UD women's basketball starter Abbey (Meyer) Hummel was approaching 36 weeks in her pregnancy. Until this point, everything was progressing smoothly, and her and her husband Noah were eagerly anticipating the birth of their first child, a baby boy. Suddenly, Abbey started to feel that something wasn't quite right, so they scheduled an appointment to check things out. On Tuesday, March 1, 2022, Abbey and Noah received the most devastating news imaginable - their baby boy no longer had a heartbeat. 

Their perfect little boy, Paxton Joseph Hummel, entered the world Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at around 6:00 a.m. Abbey and Noah were able to spend 12 short hours with Paxton while in the hospital. On the morning he was born, there were countless rays of sunshine coming down through the clouds. Noah and Abbey knew that it was Paxton, letting them know he was okay. 
 
Surrounded by family and friends, Paxton was laid to rest Saturday, March 5, 2022 The amount of love that was shown for him that day was amazing and something Abbey and Noah will cherish for the rest of their life. 

The Paxton's Classic was established to not only to honor Paxton, but bring awareness to child loss. This event is even more meaningful for the Hummel family as Abbey was a four-year starter at University of Dubuque and Noah played basketball at Loras College alongside current women's head coach, Justin Busch. 

After the loss of Paxton, Noah and Abbey became advocates for No Foot Too Small, a non-profit out of Iowa City which provides care and support for bereaved parents around the state of Iowa and other Midwest states.